In autumn, when crabs are in season and full of meat, they are a delicacy on the dining table for their tender flesh, delicious taste, and rich nutrition. However, since crabs feed on small organisms, aquatic plants, and decaying animals, their body surface, gills, and gastrointestinal tract are all covered with pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Therefore, it is essential to follow three "don't eat" rules when consuming crabs.
Firstly, do not eat raw crabs. Some people enjoy eating raw crab meat, but this eating method is harmful to the human body. Crabs are one of the intermediate hosts of lung flukes, and eating raw crabs can lead to lung fluke infection. Moreover, crabs feed on decayed substances, and their intestines contain a large number of bacteria and toxins, which can easily cause food poisoning if eaten raw.
Secondly, do not eat the internal organs. After purchasing live crabs, you can choose an appropriate cooking method based on personal preference. Regardless of the method, apart from cleaning them thoroughly before steaming or boiling, you should also remove three parts: the crab gills, stomach, and heart. The crab gills are located on both sides of the crab's body, arranged in strip-like patterns resembling eyebrows. They are the crab's respiratory organs and carry pathogens and dirt. The crab stomach is located in the front half of the crab's body and contains a lot of mud and bacteria. The crab heart is closely connected to the crab stomach, located in the middle of the crab roe, and has a bitter taste, so it should also be removed.
Thirdly, do not eat crabs with persimmons. Ancient medical books record: "Eating persimmons with crabs causes diarrhea." Both crabs and persimmons belong to cold-natured foods, and eating them together can easily lead to discomfort. From a modern medical perspective, crabs are rich in protein, while persimmons contain a lot of tannins. Eating them together can cause the protein to coagulate and harden. When cooking crabs, you can use a little seasoning, and fresh ginger must be added to the seasoning. Ginger has the effect of warming the center, dispersing cold, and detoxifying. When eating crabs, some people like to drink a little alcohol, which actually helps to counteract the cold nature of crabs with the warm and spicy nature of alcohol. If you feel gastrointestinal discomfort after eating crabs, you can boil ginger water and drink it while it's hot, which has the effect of warming the stomach.
Related thematic articles:
- Nourishing therapy for Start of Winter
- Eating different types of radishes for health
- How to enjoy spicy food in autumn without getting heaty